Not feeling the Willie Nelson (On The Road Again) vibe but LilyPad is screaming for attention and we must oblige. It takes nearly a week to prep and store everything for travel mode. Anyone who tells you that full timing is “easy come, easy go” either has packed very little inside their motorhome or has never attempted the adventure on a full time basis. Having Gypsy blood from my Paternal grandmother doesn’t make the stop and go travel any easier.

Our last night at Rayford Crossing RV Park was a sleepless one for me. Some local yokel was firing their shot gun off from 11:30pm to midnight-something before I finally conked out. Second night in a row…grrrrr!  Mercifully our first night on the road at Coushatta RV Resort in Kinder, Louisiana was a surrounding of peaceful silence throughout the night.

Two nights spent bordering the Mississippi River and traversing between Vidalia Louisiana and Natchez Mississippi to check out the not-to-miss sights. The Natchez Visitors Center was closed but was first on our list come morning.

Driving through town on the way to the cemetery, we noticed this interesting attempt at religious yard art.

John drove unhurriedly through the historic Natchez City Cemetery just before its closing at dusk. I urged John on, slightly panicked that the caretaker would slam shut and lock those massive iron gates before we made it back through the confusing maze of narrow snaking streets. The cemetery being void of all visitors added to the anxiety of being trapped in the dark of night in a 300 year old cemetery. That detail surpassed my curiosity so we only saw a portion of the military and Jewish areas and a couple of older historic gravestones before dusk scared away my courage and we left.

Caught the sunset slipping down the river while on the Mississippi side looking towards our motorhome, a supreme Kodak moment.

Morning brought us to Nikki’s Family Restaurant, highly recommended by the RV park. All the patrons were regulars and family members took turns pouring coffee, bringing water, serving meals and including the whole café in conversations…including John and I. When they found out we were traveling the U.S., questions flew around the room. I asked to take a picture and they stopped everything to pose. When we got ready to leave, I got a hug and a “safe travels” speech from grandma. If you are ever in Vidalia, LA, stop and enjoy a meal with the friendliest people in town.

Today we toured three antebellum (pre-war) houses. House rules are distinctly given by the tour guides…”no pictures can be taken inside.”

Loved our first choice of the antebellum houses, six story 30,000 square foot unfinished Longwood mansion, the largest octagonal house in America.

Construction began on this Italian Villa just before the war broke out in 1860 and was being built for Haller Nutt and his wife. The exterior finished just prior to the war before workers fled the North. Only the basement was completed and used for living quarters until Hallers death in 1864 but his wife and their eight children lived on in the basement until her death in 1897.

The totality alone was impressive but the unfinished areas, had they been finished, would have rivaled the mansions of Newport, RI. Our guide was wonderfully knowledgeable and answered our many questions without hesitation, giving its history and availing us to a better understanding of the Natchez area and why the extensive growth of the city. These were the town homes of the wealthy cotton plantation owners.

Silk area rugs, first addition books, antique furnishings, Rosewood chairs, were impressive but brought on sadness as those were some of the belongings I parted with so we could begin our motorhome adventure. Standing in disrepair, the mansion was bought and presented to the Pilgrimage Garden Club by the Kelly McAdams Foundation, Austin, TX in 1970.

Rosalie Mansion’s most impressionable element was the huge U.S.S. Mississippi ships bell that is mounted in the back yard. John threatened to ring it, against my pleas, before the tour. Afterwards the tour guide gave him permission to do the ear shattering deed while I watched. Two rings, one for himself while smiling ear to ear, second ring for me so I could take the picture.

The mansion was built in 1823 for Peter Little, a wealthy cotton broker and his wife. Sadly, he died a few months after the mansion was finished but his wife and children lived on in the house until 70 years ago when the house was purchased by the Mississippi State Society Daughters of the American Revolution who continue to maintain and operate the mansion as a historic house museum.

The pre-Civil War mansion served as Union headquarters for the Natchez area from July 1863 on. During that time, his wife and daughter lived in two upstairs bedrooms while the balance of the furniture was stored on the fourth floor under lock and key.

On a portion of the grounds is the site of the Natchez Indians’ 1729 massacre by the French at Fort Rosalie.

Stanton Hall, or Belfast as it is also known, is an antebellum Classical Revival mansion built during 1851-1857 for Frederick Station, a cotton broker. He purchased an entire city block on which to build the mansion and the hike up the drive offers an imposing view of pre-war society and their fortunes. Stanton was only able to enjoy his home for one month before he died. After his death, the Hall housed a college for young ladies for a short time, then fell into disrepair and was purchased by the Pilgrimage Garden Club and was renewed to much of its former splendor. This was the most complete mansion that we visited but the top floors were not available to tour as they were still being revamped.

Housed in the 1890’s building on the grounds of Stanton is the Carriage House Restaurant serving guests since 1946. We missed its re-opening, after having slight repairs, by one day.  Guess we will just have to come back.

St. Mary’s is a magnificent Basilica. Strange seeing such an extravagant Catholic church in Mississippi where the Catholic religion is not foremost.

Very much enjoyed visiting with the parishioner who was also our guide. He spoke of the decline of the Catholic church since the Basilicas completion to date. Building began in 1842 and took 40 years to complete. Stained glass windows were beyond impressive and the ceiling was, in itself, a work of art. We enjoyed the reverence and peaceful quiet, taking in all the infinite details of the church.

Back to the motorhome to ready LilyPad for the next leg of our trip, Red Bay, AL.